Dietary intervention based on individual nutritional
status and requirements and genotype can prevent,
mitigate, or cure chronic disease.
Nutrigenomics is in sharp contrast to the tradi-
tional food pyramid and recommended daily allowan-
ces (RDAs) that are intended to prevent nutritional
deficiencies in the general population. Nutrigenomics
also contrasts with foods and supplements that are
claimed to be beneficial for everyone. Rather genetic
variations among individuals can result in very differ-
ent responses to general diets and specific foods.
Nutrigenomics can be applied to populations, sub-
populations, and ethnic groups that share genetic sim-
ilarities, as well as to individuals.
Nutrigenomic diseases
Diseases and conditions that are known to
have genetic and/or nutritional components are
candidates for nutrigenomic studies to determine
whether dietary intervention can affect the out-
come. Differences in genetic makeup or genotype
are factors in:
gastrointestinal cancers
other gastrointestinal conditions or digestive
diseases
inflammatory diseases
osteoporosis.KEY TERMS
APO—Apolipoprotein; proteins that combine with
lipids to form lipoproteins; APOA1 is one of the class
A apoliproteins; APOE is a class E apolipoprotein.
DNA methylation—The enzymatically controlled
addition of a methyl group (CH3) to the nucleotide
base cytosine in DNA; methylation is involved in
suppressing gene expression or turning off genes.
Epigenetic—A modification of gene expression that
is independent of the DNA sequence of the gene.
Folic acid—Folate; a B-complex vitamin that is
required for normal production of red blood cells
and other physiological processes; abundant in
green, leafy vegetables, liver, kidney, dried beans,
and mushrooms.
Galactosemia—An inherited metabolic disorder in
which galactose accumulates in the blood due to a
deficiency in an enzyme that catalyzes its conver-
sion to glucose.
Genome—A single haploid set of chromosomes and
their genes.
Genotype—All or part of the genetic constitution of
an individual or group.
HDL cholesterol—High-density lipoprotein; ‘good’
cholesterol that helps protect against heart disease.
Homocysteine—An amino-acid product of animal
metabolism that at high blood levels is associated
with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease
(CVD).
Kinase—An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of
phosphate groups from high-energy phosphate-containing molecules, such as ATP, to another
molecule.
Lactose—Milk sugar; a disaccharide sugar present in
milk that is made up of one glucose molecule and
one galactose molecule.
LDL cholesterol—Low-density lipoprotein; ‘bad’
cholesterol that can clog arteries.
Metabolome—All of the metabolites found in the
cells and fluids of the body under specific dietary
and physiological conditions.
MTHFR—Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase; an
enzyme that regulates folic acid and maintains blood
levels of homocysteine.
Phenylketonuria—PKU; an inherited metabolic dis-
order caused by an enzyme deficiency that results in
the accumulation of the amino acid phenylalanine
and its metabolites in the blood.
Polymorphism—A gene that exists in variant or
allelic forms.
Polyunsaturated fatty acid—PUFA; fats that usually
help to lower blood cholesterol; found in fish, saf-
flower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils.
Proteome—All of the proteins expressed in a cell,
tissue, or organism.
SNP—Single nucleotide polymorphism; a variant
DNA sequence in which the base of a single nucleo-
tide has been replaced by a different base.
Triglycerides—Neutral fat; lipids formed from one
glycerol molecule and three fatty acids that are wide-
spread in adipose tissue and circulate in the blood as
lipoproteins.Nutrigenomics